g SAYS GOVT TAKING STEPS TO INTRODUCE TRANSPARENT PROCEDURES FOR ALL TYPES OF PURCHA SES
g E-PROCUREMENT PROJECT LAUNCHED WITH WB $45M FUNDING BEING IMPLEMENTED IN 37 MINISTRIES,
minister was
e-procurement He was told that the e-procurement project was launched by Public Procurement Regulatory Authority in 2017 with World Bank funding
The prime minister was informed that e-procurement had been implemented in 37 ministries and 301 procuring agencies of the federal government PPRA has so far trained some 8,988 officials of procuring agencies Furthermore it was told that federal government’s e-procurement volume was about Rs1551 billion MoUs have also been signed with the governments of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir regarding e-procurement the meeting was informed
Govt gears up for review of Chinese IPP contracts with debt reprofiling, coal sourcing: Leghari
stated
According to Pishin City Station House Officer (SHO) Mujibur Rehman, the two injured policemen were in critical condition “Apparently, the explosive material was planted in a motorcycle,” SHO Rehman said, adding that as a result three vehicles were damaged
The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and the Bomb Disposal Squad reached the blast scene and collected evidence for a probe, the official said Last month, a blast in Pishin caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) left three CTD officials and three pedestrians injured Police officials had said the attack was aimed at a CTD vehicle carrying the department s personnel
The same day in a similar incident a soldier of the Quick Response Force of the Frontier Corps South was martyred and seven others were injured in Kech district’s Buleda area Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind condemned the terrorist attacks in Pishin and Noshki expressing sorrow over the loss of innocent lives
Anti-society and anti-state elements do not deserve any concession Rind asserted Terrorists are targeting innocent and sinless people to achieve their nefarious goals,” he added ISLAMABAD S TA F F
Power Minister Awais Leghari on
Saturday revealed that Pakistan was embarking on a major renegotiation of its energy sector deals with China aiming to achieve a more sustainable and cost-effective energy landscape
“The focus of this review is on two key areas – debt reprofiling and coal sourcing” Power Minister Awais Leghari outlined during an interview with a private channel Pakistan has already embarked on an entire economic or power sector reform as desired by China and the IMF”, the minister stated He said that in debt Reprofiling Pakistan is reviewing the terms of debt repayment with Chinese Independent Power Producers (IPPs), seeking to restructure the repayment schedule to alleviate the burden on the country’s finances
“Similarly we aim to shift
from imported coal to locally sourced coal for power generation to potentially reduce energy costs and enhancing energy security”, he went on to say
The minister emphasized that the renegotiation was aimed at achieving a mutually beneficial outcome for both Pakistan and Chinese investors, ensuring continued investment while addressing Pakistan’s needs
The investments made by Chinese IPPs are under a government-to-government (G2G) framework, which enables this review process , the minister pointed out, claiming the review and study were being conducted collaboratively with the Chinese government fostering a spirit of cooperation
The minister emphasized: The review goes beyond just IPPs, encompassing the entire power sector, including government-owned plants ensuring a holistic approach to energy reform
He said that a task force with experts had been formed to conduct the study, ensuring technical expertise and a thorough analysis
“It’s going to be a win-win situation for everyone he underscored
We are not beginning but have already begun the review together with the Chinese government in debt reprofiling and coal conversion to local coal ”
“We are reviewing and studying the overall landscape of the power sector s entire generation including IPPs and governmentowned plants
We have already begun reviewing them (IPP contracts) from two different angles one is debt reprofiling and the other is of the investments they made to produce energy through imported coal
We have begun conducting its study together with the Chinese from only these two angles Working groups have also been established to do the same
President Zardari visits Maulana Fazl, discusses ‘political scenario’
ISLAMABAD S
President Asif Ali Zardari visited the residence of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl
(JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman in Islamabad for a meeting on Saturday
He was accompanied by Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, according to Radio Pakistan
On the occasion, Maulana Fazlur
Rehman gave President Zardari a warm welcome upon his arrival The two leaders discussed various issues including the current political situation in the country and matters of mutual interest, according to sources privy to the development
During the meeting, President Zardari presented Maulana Fazlur
Rehman with a rifle as a gift
JUI-F spokesperson confirmed that the meeting centred on the country’s political scenario JUI-F leaders Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri Maulana Asad Mehmood Aslam Ghauri and Engineer
Ziaur Rehman were also present
The meeting comes day after a delegation from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) visited Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s residence in Islamabad and sought cooperation once again
Both parties are mulling to end differences and explore possibilities of collaboration, the sources privy to the development said During the meeting, discussions were held on the formation of committees to facilitate joint efforts PTI reportedly re-
quested in-house cooperation within the Parliament, expressing their stance that they could give the government a tough time if the two parties worked together In response JUI-F representatives stated that any decision would be made only after thorough consultation within the party Both PTI and JUI-F spokespersons addressed the media, confirming the ongoing dialogue and the formation of
Arms dealers association announces support for Businessman Forum in SCCI elections
Arms
and manufacturers association have announced support for the Businessman Forum in the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry elections A delegation of the Abasin Arms Association spearheaded by its president Haji Hazrat Bilal visited the chamber Saturday The meeting was held in the Chamber House under the chairmanship of the SCCI President Fuad Ishaq Sanaullah Khan, senior vice president, Ejaz Khan Afridi, vice president of the chamber former president FPCCI Ghazanfar Bilour Anjuman Tajraan Lifetime President Haji Muhammad Afzal Abasin Arms Association General Secretary Haji Shahzad Khan, Senior vice president Haji Sarfraz Khan,
vice presidents Haji Gohar Ali Taimoor Zeb, Joint Secretary Sajjad Ali Shah, other office bearers, business community attached with arms and ammunition manufacturing sector were present in a large number at the occasion
During the meeting the delegation apprised SCCI president of issues being confronted by the arms dealers and manufacturers Hazrat Bilal assured that the association has always stood with Businessman Forum and will fully support it in SCCI elections Fuad Ishaq opposed imposition of two percent tax on exports from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by KPRA and asked the provincial government to immediately take back its decision He said SCCI has always played a pivotal role in resolution of business community issues
The SCCI chief asked traders ex-
porters and importers to present their issues in written form in the chamber and will utilize all resources to resolve them amicably Ghazanfar Bilour said the business community were faced with difficulties in the prevailing circumstances He said chamber doors are always open for the business community Former FPCCI chief said that the Businessman Forum believes in the selfless service of the business community and today the expression of full confidence in the Businessmen Forum shown by the Arms Association is a testimony and prove that BF is the only representative platform of the
‘EVERY MARTYR IS HERO OF THE NATION’: MARYAM
NAWAZ INQUIRES AFTER HEALTH OF INJURED COPS
the doctors and staff of the hospital and directed the administration to resolve their problems at the earliest Later the chief minister met families of the martyrs at DPO office Rahim Yar Khan Police martyrs including Muhammad Imran, Rashid, Sajid, Ahmed, Zahid, Muneer,
PTI fostering disruptive politics: Tarar
LAHORE s ta f f r e p o r t Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has strongly criticised the Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI) and its founder accusing them of fostering politics of disruption in the country Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, he referred to the PTI as “Tehreek-e-Inteshar” (Disruption Party) alleging that the party had engaged in activities detrimental to national interests The Tehreek-e-Inteshar has consistently propagated against our national institutions and has never hesitated to damage the country s interests said Tarar He claimed that the PTI s founder divided society and incited people against one another, leading to internal conflicts within the party itself
within the PTI claiming that disinformation cells were actively operating within the party
The minister also touched upon internal strife within the PTI mentioning that the party was now engulfed in internal divisions He alleged that Aleema Khan sister of the PTI founder had informed Rauf Hassan that Bushra Bibi, the wife of the PTI founder, was spreading false news “Bushra Bibi is spreading a false narrative for sympathy ” Tarar quoted Aleema as saying He also highlighted
One disinformation cell was run by Rauf Hassan and Aleema Khan, while another was being managed by Bushra Bibi ” he said He emphasised that these internal divisions were symptomatic of the chaos and discord within the party
'D acoit Q ueen' allegedly involved in fif ty robberies arrested
Tarar concluded by warning that the politics of hatred and division never end well, and noted that efforts to harm the country for political gains were ongoing “The party of those who engage in the politics of hatred and division is itself in disarray he added LAHORE s
t
Lahore police have apprehended a notorious female dacoit, known as the 'Dacoit Queen ' and her husband who were involved in more than 50 robberies According to the police the couple used to approach pedestrians under the pretense of asking for directions and then rob them The authorities have recovered looted cash, mobile phones, weapons, and a motorcycle from the suspects In total PKR 300 000 in cash two pistols 12 mobile phones and a motorcycle were seized Police reports indicate that the woman, identified as Momina, was
caught on CCTV footage committing robberies at gunpoint To evade police checks she would conceal weapons in her shawl and hide stolen goods and firearms in her purse after the robberies Legal proceedings have been initiated against Momina and her husband, Aqeel, with further investigations underway In a related incident police rescued a man from Faisalabad who was heading to the Kacha area to marry the Dacoit Queen The man, Allah Ditta Zafarullah, was intercepted at the Sindh-Punjab border It was revealed that he was lured by a woman named Alia an accomplice of the dacoits whom he had met on Facebook She had promised marriage but was actually
leading him into a trap The police intervened just in time to save him Additionally in the Achhra area of Lahore a Safe City Virtual Patrolling Officer successfully tracked and arrested two suspects who were robbing citizens on the streets The officer noticed suspicious activity via live surveillance cameras where two young men on a motorcycle were seen targeting passersby Within moments the suspects snatched an expensive mobile phone from a pedestrian The officer immediately provided all the evidence to the local police, leading to the swift arrest of both suspects who were found to have a record of multiple snatching incidents
PESHAWAR s ta f f r e p o r t
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Advisor Barrister Saif asserted that closure of utility stores was clear evidence of an anti-poor policy of incompetent government He gave his response on the closure of utility stores across the country, he stressed that utility stores were only relief for inflation stricken
R I M E M I N I S T E R Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the constitution of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority, observing on his meeting on SMEDA in Islamabad on Friday that small and medium enterprises were the backbone of an economy He was right in that, but he should have also realised that SMEDA had been founded in 1998, and seen if had gone beyond collecting some basic figures Mr Sharif ’s commitment to the sector became apparent when he decided that a special steering committee would be set up, and that he would personally head it Perhaps he needs to find out what SMEDA has failed to do right since its establishment Then too it was widely touted that small and medium enterprises provided a large proportion of the GDP with 5 2 million enterprises producing 40 percent of the GDP and contributing 31 percent of the country s exports SMEs are also primary sources of employment, with 42 percent of jobs already coming from them They avail Rs 491 billion of bank credit This is something that Mr Sharif latched onto, and ha gave a target of increasing that credit of Rs 800 billion This is one of the prime areas where the government can intervene, but there is the danger of using this need for credit as a means of doling out favours Mr Sharif ’s government has to go the extra mile not just because his party derives much of its support from the businessmen who run SMEs but because this government has committed itself to expanding the tax net This is even though the PML(N) has so far been successful in keeping SMEs untaxed SMEs should be a mainstay of the taxman; unfortunately, a situation has developed where they wish to remain under the radar; a wish which results in the strangling of growth in the sector Growth does not mean a proliferation of SMEs, but a graduation into the next stage: small enterprises grow so large that they qualify as medium A small enterprise is defined as one with an annual turnover of less than Rs 150 million Once it crosses that, it will be considered a medium enterprise If it crosses a turnover of Rs 800 million it will be considered a large enterprise SMEDA gives out ideas for various small enterprises but there is much more to done Done it must be for the country to move forward for no economy has grown without the help of its SMEs
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi
IN our beloved country Pakistan, everybody is trying to show to be more loyal and wiser than the law while there is absolutely no law being followed Every public institution every department is either in loss or involved in corruption Courts are not exempted The problem is determining who will command that don’t be wiser than law It means that no one should act as if they know better than the established laws nor try to circumvent them It emphasizes the importance of respecting and adhering to legal rules and regulations suggesting that outsmarting the law often leads to negative consequences The adage serves as a reminder to follow the law rather than attempting to find loopholes or thinking oneself above it It is very simple to understand that law is made to be followed and underscores the fundamental principle that laws are established to be adhered to by all members of society It emphasizes the necessity of compliance with legal rules and regulations to maintain order justice, and fairness within a community Laws are designed to protect rights, ensure safety, and provide a framework for resolving disputes, and following them is crucial for the smooth functioning of society Welfare of the public is hidden in respecting and following the law without any exception and the secret of the well-being and prosperity of society depends on individuals adhering to legal norms and regulations By respecting and following the law, people contribute to a stable and orderly community where rights are protected, justice is upheld, and resources are fairly distributed Laws are created to safeguard public interests and compliance ensures a harmonious and secure environment for everyone
Only those nations that follow laws can meet and enjoy progress and prosperity and a country s adherence to the rule of law is fundamental to its development and success When a nation enforces its laws fairly and consistently it creates a stable environment that fosters economic growth social harmony and individual freedoms This legal stability encourages investment innovation and cooperation all of which are essential for progress and prosperity In contrast, nations that disregard the rule of law often face corruption, injustice, and instability, hindering their development Sad to say, Pakistan and its public from Day One have been ignoring this basic principle which reflects a serious concern about Pakistan s adherence to the rule of law and its impact on the nation s progress and prosperity Challenges such as political instability corruption, and weak legal enforcement have indeed been significant issues in Pakistan These problems can hinder economic development, social justice, and
S t u d e n t s i m p a c t o n p o l i t i c s
Supremacy of Law and Justice inevitable....
Th e o n l y p at h t o p ro s p e r i t y
overall national stability
Addressing these challenges requires strong institutional reforms effective governance and a collective commitment from the public and leadership to uphold the rule of law Ensuring transparency accountability and equal application of laws can help Pakistan move towards a more prosperous and stable future
It s unfortunate that when political leadership, the establishment, and the judiciary fail to uphold and respect the rule of law it can lead to significant issues such as corruption inefficiency and a lack of public trust These problems can impede a nation s progress and hinder social and economic development
Pakistan and its main stakeholders, including the general public, have to follow these inevitable steps which could help address our main issues by strengthening Institutions, building robust and independent institutions that can operate without undue influence from political or other powerful entities is crucial
It is essential to promote transparency and accountability ensuring that all branches of government and public officials are held accountable for their actions that can reduce corruption and increase public trust It is mandatory to do legal reforms Updating and enforcing laws to close loopholes and ensure fairness can help create a more just legal system
Similarly enriching our civic education
a d e rs a n d c i t i z e n s t o
r e c o m m i t t o h i s p r i n c i p l e s by e m b r a c i n g h i s v i s i o n o f a j u s t , d e m o c r a t i c , a n d p ro g r e s s i v e s o c i e t y, Pa k i s t a n c a n wo r k t ow a rd s
ov e rc o m i n g i t s c u r r e n t ch a l l e n g e s a n d bu i l d i n g a b r i g h t e r f u t u r e .
SM A hossAin
rooted in their ability to mobilize indomitable forces, challenge the status quo, and bring fresh perspectives to longstanding issues Moreover student movements have been the driving force behind major political transformations and their impact on politics continues to be profound globally Bangladesh has a profound history of student intervention that dates back to its struggle for independence The Language Movement of 1952, which eventually led to the recognition of Bengali as a state language was largely driven by students Similarly the 1971 Liberation War saw students at the forefront of the fight for independence This legacy of activism has embedded students deeply in the political fabric of the country, trending them a powerful force in times of political crisis
In recent years student movements in Bangladesh have gained renewed momentum particularly in response to issues such as corruption inequality and discrimination The rise of the anti-discrimination movement, led primarily by students, highlights the continuing influence of young people in shaping the nation’s political discourse
The inclusion of two students in Bangladesh s interim government marks a historic moment underscoring the growing recognition of the importance of student voices in politics This move is unprecedented in the country s political history and reflects the significant impact that student movements have had on the national consciousness
These student leaders bring a fresh perspective to the interim government focusing on issues that resonate with the younger generation such as educational reform, social justice, and anti-corruption measures Their involvement also signals a shift towards more inclusive governance where the concerns of the youth are given greater priority
The presence of students in the interim government serves as a counterbalance to traditional political forces which have often been criticized for their corruption and failure to ad-
dress the needs of ordinary citizens Student movements are typically driven by ideals of fairness justice and transparency which contrast sharply with the often self-serving nature of established political parties
In the current political landscape student organizations have positioned themselves as a force for reform, challenging the old guard and advocating for a more just and equitable society Their opposition to the quick reinstatement of top brass like Tareque Rahman despite pressure from major parties like BNP illustrates their commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that political power is not misused
The influence of student movements extends beyond the corridors of power in the interim government These movements have the potential to reshape the political landscape by mobilizing young voters advocating for policy changes and holding political leaders accountable In many ways, students act as a moral compass for the nation, pushing for changes that reflect the values of fairness, equality, and justice Moreover student activism often inspires broader societal change Movements that begin on university campuses can quickly spread to other parts of society galvanizing support from various segments of the population This ripple effect can lead to significant policy shifts and, in some cases, even changes in government
The youth thinks that the actual reform in Bangladesh’s political parties is urgently needed as the current organizational structures are fundamentally undemocratic Most political parties in the country are dominated by dynastic leadership, where power is concentrated within a single family or a small group of elites
This practice starkly contrasts with the principles of democracy which emphasize inclusivity representation and accountability In such a system leadership is often passed down through family lines rather than being earned through merit or the will of party members
This entrenched dynastic control stifles internal democracy and prevents fresh ideas and new leaders from emerging
Simply removing or replacing figures like chairmen and mayors does not constitute real reform These changes are superficial and do little to address the deep-rooted issues within party structures True reform requires dismantling these dynastic power bases implementing transparent and democratic processes for leadership selection, and fostering a culture of accountability within the parties Only by addressing these core issues can Bangladesh’s political parties evolve into truly democratic institutions that reflect the will and interests of the people they are meant to serve While the involvement of students in politics brings many benefits, it also presents challenges Student leaders may lack the experience and resources of established politicians making it difficult for them to navigate the complex and often cutthroat world of politics Additionally their idealism while a strength can also lead to conflicts with more pragmatic political actors
However, these challenges also present opportunities The fresh perspectives and innovative ideas that students bring to the table can help to revitalize political institutions and processes that have become stagnant Moreover by engaging in politics at an early age students gain valuable experience that will serve them well in the future, potentially paving the way for a new generation of political leaders
The impact of students on politics in Bangladesh as in many other countries is both significant and enduring From their historical role in the fight for independence to their current involvement in the interim government students have consistently been at the forefront of political change As Bangladesh navigates this period of political transition, the influence of student movements is likely to continue to grow shaping the future of the country s democracy Through their activism and participation in governance students are helping to build a more inclusive just, and democratic society
The writer can be reached at: writetomahossain@gmail com
T h e i m p a c t o f s t u d e n t s o n p o l i t i c s i n B a n g l a d e s h , a s i n m a ny o t h e r c o u n t r i e s , i s b o t h s i g n i f i c a n t a n d e n d u r i n g . F ro m
t h e i r h i s t o r i c a l ro l e i n t h e f i g h t fo r i n d e p e n d e n c e
Surviving Pakistan’s economic strain
Solar scams in Karachi
though Pakistan has not as much a contribution to global emissions in the world as other developed countries have yet we must be watchful that these effluents do not exceed the acceptable levels The need of the hour is providing cheap electricity to the population Electricity shortfall climbed to 6 623 MW during May 2024 There is a rampant volatile commodity price double digit inflation dwindling foreign exchange reserves, dangerously high national debt Economic instability and exorbitant cost of living are worsened by the ongoing challenge in energy production and distribution which are adversely impacting economic development Pakistan has supply mismanagement issues Overall planning by our regulatory bodies in Pakistan needs to be improved Focus should be on areas like energy management, infrastructure and economic planning Our industry must be made competitive India last time went to the IMF in 1991 but never afterwards It must be remembered that the IMF s policies are narrowly based and it wants to secure their loans Pakistan has participated in 24 IMF programmes since signing its first agreement in 1958 to help overcome an economic crisis Pakistan has also sought financial assistance from China Saudi Arabia and the UAE The misgovernance in the oil and gas industry in licensing processes permit applications and the subcontracting of parts of a company s operations lead to chaos whereby
inflated energy prices and industry closure become the apparent manifestations Lack of technical expertise is also responsible Inefficiency and myopic policy commitment with IPPs is another reason Per capita energy consumption is directly related to economic development of any country According to NEPRA Pakistan’s annual electricity consumption was 644 kilowatt hour in 2022 which was among the
CONVENTIONALENERGY RESOURCES Energy demand is increasing at the rate of 2 percent annually in the world while renewable energy resources are double this amount Conventional energy resources are depleting with the passage of time Moreover, they emit harmful emissions like carbon dioxide, methane, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and nitrous oxide There is a direct correlation between economic development and carbon emissions “The global surface concentration of carbon dioxide averaged across all 12 months of 2023 was 419 3 ppm (parts per million) and it should be noted that as many as five years are taken to reduce 1 part per million Due to increased carbon emissions and climate change extreme weather patterns are visible Karachi experienced seven waves of monsoon rains in Karachi in 2022 This also lays emphasis on the need for a recourse to cleaner sources of energy The renewable energy resources are environment friendly and are viable to meet the future energy demand In Pakistan there are abundant natural resources There are numerous hydel sites in North
future If we go against nature it will simply recoil on us At some point the population will reach where the earth will not be able to support it Pakistan is grappling with a severe water crisis According to UNICEF, approximately 53 000 children under the age of five die each year in Pakistan from diarrhea caused by poor water and sanitation and an estimated 70 percent of households still drink bacterially contaminated water (Report published in 2021) The government’s priority should be to arrange drinkable water for the people as without food a person can survive up to three weeks but without water
policy and work accordingly Most importantly the culture of being the son of the soil should be engendered in the youth Our youth should get rid of fixation of leaving the country for good It should be in their minds that they may leave temporarily for enhancing capacity but on coming back they must utilize their expertise for
Solar
Sonly domestic heating source that runs on electricity You will now be familiar with the pattern, but let’s not leave out electric vehicles There are around 7 000 lithium-ion battery cells in each Tesla This highly modular technology is also rapidly falling in cost Because electric vehicles can run on electricity from solar and wind, they are increasingly used to put power back on the grid when they are parked at home acting as decentralized storage known as bidirectional charging Further lithium-ion battery manufacturing for EVs has the spinoff effect of lowering stationary battery storage costs, again enabling the variability of solar and wind output to be smoothed Now for the realism We don’t have limitless time to pursue carbon-free energy supply Most net zero targets seek to achieve carbon neutrality over the next 25 years or by 2050 More importantly we are likely to pass 1 5C of warming the Paris Agreement threshold target we are globally seeking to prevent breaching, by 2030 And it is at this 1 5C threshold that climatic feedbacks could kick in and lead to runaway climate change Nor do we have limitless money Selecting the modular technologies that are synergetic and support each other is probably the best way to derive the most low-carbon energy, and decarbonize as quickly as we can, as cheaply as we can But we don’t have 30 years to wait for these technologies to reach the truly disruptive deployment levels of solar only seen in recent years
This is where we are going to also need to consider limiting demand to meet the future constrained decarbonized supply People will still be able to fly, and drive their non-EV car, but perhaps a little less often, until these technologies have had time to move along the growth curve As climate change impacts increase in frequency and severity this reality of carefully picking technology winners backing them with more investment, and limiting demand, is highly likely to be the only option left Daniel Quiggin is a senior research fellow with the Environment and Society Centre at Chatham House He specializes in the analysis of how national and global energy systems will evolve out to 2050
LE T’S not kid ourselves Twitter/X was never exactly the Garden of Eden: there were always weeds wild animals and marshy bits where you could sink in up to your waist But now that it s somewhere between a swamp, a jungle and a cesspool it may soon be time to quietly tiptoe away and leave it to fester into toxic irrelevance I ve been there since January 2009 when Elon Musk was still messing around with an electric sports car called the Tesla Roadster When he got round to joining Twitter six months later he would, like most of us, have doubtless taken delight in so much that was to be found in this new digital forum of ideas and conversation Gone for better or worse were the old gatekeepers of information and connection Here was somewhere we could gather to talk to each other; as well as amuse, provoke, tease and entertain At its
ing his platform into a sewer He, too, was told to go and f*** himself So here we are wondering why we’re still hanging around After the recent riots the writer George Monbiot pondered aloud why he was staying put now that Musk has turned this platform into an incubator for fascism
ghAzAlA AmbReen
GA Z A CEASEFIRE TALKS IN CAIRO FACE CHALLENGES AS HUMANITARIAN CRISIS DEEPENS
APHC condemns BJP gov t’s repressive tactics in IIOJK , urges global inter vention
SRINAGAR
A G E N C I E S
The All Parties Hurriyet Conference (APHC) has sharply condemned BJP-led Indian government s use of military force, harsh black laws, and coercive cordon and search operations as part of a deliberate strategy to undermine the Kashmiri people’s demand for political justice
According to Kashmir Media Service in a statement issued in Srinagar APHC spokesperson Advocate Abdul Rashid Mihas criticized New Delhi for its aggressive suppression of dissent in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) through draconian laws such as the Public Safety Act (PSA) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) Mihas voiced concern over the ongoing state terrorism and the arbitrary arrest of Kashmiri youth by Indian forces personnel during the so-called cordon and search operations
The APHC denounced the BJP regime for systematically violating the fundamental rights of the Kashmiri people, including their freedoms of expression press and political social business and religious activities The statement called on the international community to not remain passive in the face of these ongoing abuses in IIOJK Mihas urged India to abandon its imperialistic stance on Kashmir, acknowledge the current realities, and address the Kashmir dispute by commitments previously made by Indian leaders at the UN and in public statements The APHC emphasized that the dire situation in IIOJK demands urgent global attention The spokesman appealed to the United Nations to fulfill its role in resolving the Kashmir dispute in line with its resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, to ensure lasting peace in South Asia Modi regime seizes property of another Kashmiri in Sopore In a continuing crackdown on advocates of freedom in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir the Modi-installed administration in the territory has seized property from a Kashmiri resident in Sopore According to Kashmir Media Service, Indian police have attached the single-storey residential house belonging to Abdul Rashid Najar resident of Naseem Bagh Sopore in Baramulla district The seizure also includes land measuring 01 kanal and 1 marla located in the Amargrah area of Sopore Police justified the seizure by alleging that Najar was a sympathizer and associate of pro-freedom activists A police spokesman said that the attachment was carried out under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act following approval from the relevant authorities Since August 2019 the Modi government has implemented a policy of confiscating properties of Kashmiris on mere allegations
Nearly 300 000 Bangladeshis were taking refuge in emergency shelters Saturday from floods that inundated vast areas of the low-lying South Asian country, disaster officials said The floods were triggered by heavy monsoon rains and have killed at least 42 people in Bangladesh and India since the start of the week many in landslides My house is completely inundated, Lufton Nahar, 60, told AFP from a relief shelter in Feni, one of the worst-hit districts near the border with India’s Tripura state Water is flowing above our roof My brother brought us here by boat If he hadn t, we would have died The nation of 170 million people is crisscrossed by hundreds of rivers and has seen frequent floods in recent decades Monsoon rains cause widespread destruction every year but climate change is shifting weather patterns and increasing the number of extreme weather events Highways and rail lines were damaged between the capital Dhaka and the main port city of Chittagong making access to badly flooded districts difficult and disrupting business activity
The flooding also comes just weeks after a student-led revolution toppled its government
Among the worst affected areas is Cox s Bazar, a district home to around 1m Rohingya refugees from neighbouring Myanmar Tripura state disaster agency official Sarat Kumad Das told AFP that 24 people had been killed on the Indian side of the border since Monday Another 18 had been killed in Bangladesh, according to disaster management ministry secretary Md Kamrul Hasan “285 000 people are living in emergency shelters ” he said adding that 4 5m people in total had been affected Recovering from unrest When the floods hit, Bangladesh was recovering from weeks of civil unrest that culminated in the August 5 toppling of autocratic ex-leader Sheikh Hasina With an interim government
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported that three fires were raging on the Greek-flagged oil tanker Sounion in the Red Sea on Friday This followed an assault by Yemeni Houthi fighters the day before which led to the evacuation of the ship’s crew
The Houthis who control Yemen s most populated areas claimed responsibility for the attack as part of their ongoing campaign against commercial shipping aimed at supporting Palestinians in the Gaza conflict
The Sounion was initially damaged on Wednesday by repeated attacks, resulting in a fire and a loss of engine power A European warship subsequently rescued the crew of 25 leaving the vessel uncrewed and anchored between Yemen and Eritrea
On Friday UKMTO reported that the tanker appeared to be drifting and was still on fire The Houthis later shared a video on social media showing them setting the tanker ablaze The Sounion, carrying 150,000 metric tonnes of crude oil poses a significant environmental threat The EU s Red Sea naval mission Aspides highlighted the potential for
led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus still finding its feet, ordinary Bangladeshis have been crowdfunding relief efforts They have been organised by the same students who led the protests that sparked the ouster of Hasina who remains in India after fleeing Dhaka Crowds visited Dhaka University on Friday to offer cash donations as students loaded rice sacks and crates of bottled water onto vehicles for areas affected by the deluge Much of Bangladesh is made up of deltas where the great Himalayan rivers the Ganges and the Brahmaputra, wind towards the sea after coursing through India Several tributaries of the two transnational rivers were still overflowing However forecasts showed rain was likely to ease in the coming days
The ICMA hosted the much-anticipated SAFA International Conference 2024 The Conference promises a day filled with insightful discussions innovative strategies, and networking opportunities The Welcome Address will be delivered by Shehzad Ahmed Malik, President of ICMA, who will set the stage for the conference's themes and objectives - A panel discussion will be moderated by Awais Yasin Company Secretary at Diamer Bhasha Development Company – WAPDA featuring esteemed panelists: - Mehtab Uddin Ahmed, Vice President, Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of
comes to propaganda by the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi,” she added Azma Bokhari said that the PTI founder while being prime minister
was preparing lists to hang his opponents She said that today, his wife and sister were spreading propaganda about executions While in power, they were making plans to wipe out their opponents and now both husband and wife were afraid of even the shadows of the prison walls she added sarcastically On other hand, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) which created divisions in the society has now become victim of divisions itself While addressing a
press conference in Lahore on Saturday, he said that there seems disintegration in PTI and party leadership was divided over various issues Attaullah Tarar alleged PTI founder s wife Bushra Bibi of attempting to tighten her grip on the party affairs He said Bushra Bibi was spreading false and fabricated narrative for sympathy as disinformation cells are being run by the PTI for many years ” There was no truth to the false narratives being spread by Bushra Bibi he concluded
CEO CBD Punjab reviews pace work on Walton Road upgradation, Celestia IT Tower
LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T Imran Amin CEO of the Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (PCBDDA) also known as Central Business District Punjab (CBD Punjab), chaired a high-level meeting to assess the progress of the Walton Road Upgradation Project Following the meeting he conducted an on-site visit to Pakistan s premier and largest IT hub CBD NSIT City to review the ongoing construction of the Celestia IT Tower and associated roadworks The progress review meeting was attended by key stakeholders
including Executive Director Technical CBD Punjab Riaz Hussain, Director Construction CBD Punjab Asif Babar Project Director NLC Brigadier (R) Umar Farooqi senior officials from NLC NESPAK and the official contractors During the meeting, CEO Imran Amin was briefed on the status of projects Significant advancements have been made to the Walton Road Upgradation Project The completion of the ADA Nullah connection with the newly constructed ADA Nullah has resulted in a significant drop in the water level, reducing it by 4 feet The shuttering for the major Ishaq Shaheed Flyover has
been successfully removed and the water-bound on both carriageways has reached 70% completion The asphalt work on the junction of CBD Route 47 and Walton Road is set to commence shortly In CBD NSIT City the construction of the Celestia IT Tower is progressing at a steady pace Excavation work has reached a depth of 50 feet, and ground lean work is currently underway Road and infrastructure developments around the tower are also in full swing Commenting on the progress of the projects CEO Imran Amin stated Both the Walton Road Upgradation and Celestia IT Tower projects hold immense significance for the infrastructure development of Lahore We are committed to ensuring their timely completion in accordance with the directives of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz These projects are will play a pivotal role in transforming the urban landscape of the city " The Punjab Central Business District Development Authority remains dedicated to enhancing Punjab s infrastructure positioning it as a leading province for business technology, and innovation in Pakistan
and jackets the police officers responded immediately the spokesperson added Backup teams from the police and Elite Force arrived on the scene promptly After a heated exchange, both militants were neutralised The spokesperson mentioned that the bulletproof police vehicle sustained damage from grenades and gunfire
Following the incident RPO Dera Ghazi
Khan Captain (retd) Sajjad Hassan Khan and DPO Syed Ali arrived at the scene RPO
DG Khan, accompanied by the DPO, visited Tehsil Hospital Taunsa to check on the injured officers
“incomprehensible ” Speaking to the media after paying respects at Data Darbar in Lahore on Saturday, DPM Dar emphasised that Pakistan s current sufferings could have been avoided if the country’s trajectory had not been disrupted a few years ago By 2017 the nation was progressing rapidly but subsequent events have set us back he said lamenting the regression of a
once-thriving economy
During his visit to the shrine of Data Ganj Bakhsh Dar announced plans to install automatic umbrellas, similar to those in Madinah, and expand the shrine before the next Urs celebration He also extended greetings on behalf of himself Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) Nawaz Sharif, Premier Shehbaz Sharif, and President Zardari on the occasion of the Urs Dar highlighted the achievements of former ex-PM Nawaz Sharif noting that under his leadership He once again reminisced about 1999 and mentioned that it was Nawaz who made Pakistan a nuclear power
He stressed the need to transform Pakistan into an economic powerhouse Touching on recent political developments, Dar mentioned a meeting with Bilawal Bhutto’s delegation downplaying any significant conflicts with the Pakistan People s Party (PPP) He insisted that providing relief is the right of every province, and Punjab s decision to offer a Rs14 per unit electricity relief should not be imposed on other provinces He reaffirmed that the relationship between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and PPP remains strong stating that there are no unresolved issues between the two parties
Punjab Police chief Dr Usman Anwar praised the officers for their bravery in confronting and eliminating the terrorists Police and all security agencies are on high alert, and terrorists will not be allowed to enter Punjab under any circumstances," Dr Anwar stated "Punjab Police will spare no effort in protecting the lives and property of citizens A search and sweep operation by police and other law enforcement agencies is ongoing in the area according to the Punjab Police spokesperson g THIRD CONSECUTIVE FORTNIGHTLY CUT DRIVEN BY LOWER INTERNATIONAL OIL PRICES AND STABLE EXCHANGE RATES T W O T E R R O R I S T S K I L L E D A S P U N J A B P O L I C E T H WA R T I N F I LT R AT I O N B I D I N D G K H A N RAHIM YAR KHAN/ KARACHI S TA F F R E P O R T The Sindh and Punjab Police have evolved a strategy for a joint intelligence-based operation against the riverine dacoits operating in the border regions of both provinces including Ghotki Kashmore Rajanpur and Rahim Yar Khan The development comes after the Punjab government has increased the bounty on these bandits from Rs1 million to Rs10 million Speaking to media, Sindh IG Police Ghulam Nabi Memon disclosed that Punjab s IG Usman Anwar had reached out to collaborate on a crackdown against the riverine criminals Memon highlighted that both provinces regularly share intelligence to disrupt the sanctuaries of these dacoits and conduct joint ground operations against them Detailing his conversation with Punjab IG Usman Anwar Memon stated that the police forces of Sindh and Punjab would commence a crackdown in the border regions He pointed out the difficulty in determining jurisdiction in the riverine areas, as dacoits tend to move to Punjab during an operation by Sindh police and vice versa However Memon said that the situation was different now as both provinces were united in their efforts to take
